Sunday, May 22, 2011

Address at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Construction of the 95.25 KM National Road No. 41, Starting from the National Road No. 4 at Thnol Torteng, Kampong Speu Province to Chum Kiri District, Kampot Province

May 18, 2011

Venerable Monks,Your Excellency Pan Guang Xue, China's Ambassador to Kingdom of Cambodia,Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen distinguished national and international Guest,Dear the compatriots,

Today, I am pleased to be with H.E. Pan Guang Xue again to open the “Construction Site of the National Road No. 41” from Thnol Torteng to Chum Kiri District, following the opening of the construction site of the Phnom Penh Autonomous Port at Banteay Dek Commune, Kean Svay District, Kandal Province on March 9, 2011. Along with this, I convey my warmest welcome to Excellencies, Oknhas, ladies and gentlemen distinguished national and international guests, students and all the compatriots who attend this joyous event.

First of all, on behalf of the people and Royal Government of Cambodia, I would like to convey my deepest gratitude to the people and Government of the People’s Republic of China that has provided all kinds of support to develop Cambodia’s physical infrastructure and human resources, especially the development of roads and bridges. Taking this opportunity, I again and again would like to politely request H.E. Pan Guang Xue to forward the deepest gratitude from the people and Royal Government of Cambodia to the people and Government of the People’s Republic of China which is Cambodia’s historic friend and presently one of the most important development partners. China has indeed provided grants and concessional loans without lengthy conditions while Cambodia is in need of rebuilding all sectors, especially transport and human resources. In short, since 2004, China has provided total concessional loans of USD 814 million to Cambodia to rebuild the transport sector which can be translated to 1,472 Kilometeres of roads and 3 long bridges including Sekong Bridge, Prek Kdam Bridge and Prek Tamak Bridge. Moreover, in the near future, the Government of China will provide funding for the construction of Takmao Bridge and New Chroy Changvar Bridge that will become physical infrastructure assets in promoting growth and household income. This support is crucial to the Royal Government’s effort in promoting economic growth and social development, especially when Cambodia is in need of rebuilding the nation following decades of civil war. The development of physical infrastructure aims at providing public services to the people and maximizing public interest and can be regarded as “ locomotive of growth” as well as a matter of life and death for Cambodia. Therefore, Cambodia will always remember and record China’s great deeds in its history.

Along with this, I would also like to commend the management and all levels of officials of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, related ministries and institutions, local authorities and Chinese companies that have worked hard to finish the feasibility study phase and open the construction site at this moment. This new achievement not only improves the people’s standard of living and internal integration but also revitalizes Khmer ancestors’s effort of linking ancient Udong City to coastal zone. According to our history, this was a strategically important road. It not only connected Udong City to coastal zone in Kampot Province for trade exchange with the outside world but also acted as a connection channel with French and other European merchant vessels when the then Khmer required assistance from France to salvage the country from Siameses.

Along with this moment, I would like to congratulate all the compatriots who live and will travel in this area on the achievement of a new road which is a response to your urgent needs and will be operative in the short future.

As H.E Tram Iv Tek, Minister of Public Works and Transport has raised in his report that the national road no. 41 is a new road network that will reduce time to travel or to exchange goods between Phnom Penh and Kampot, or from national road no. 5 to Kampot without passing through Phnom Penh, because this national road links cross-section of national road no. 4 at Tnol Torteng to national road no. 3 at Chumkiri district, Kampot Province. This national road 41 will be constructed according to the road standard level 3 of construction design plan of People Republic of China, the road will be paved with two layers, that is double bituminous surface treatment, with planned budget amounts 46.250.000 US dollars (fourty six millions, two hundred fifty thousand US dollars) and government counterpart budget. The construction will takes 40s months and will be completed in 2014. Indeed, technical study had been done rigorously, comprehensively and deeply including social and environmental impact assessment aiming at ensuring that the road is beneficial and fulfilling longterm traffic condition in line with social evolution. In this sense, I strongly hope that construction of this road will enhance efficiency of vein that feeds and supports Cambodian economy and society to another level, being able to accommodate regional huge transport and freight volume that can bring new national interest, create of a lot of new employment and opportunities for the people as well as to improve and promote education and social welfare.

In short, we can see direct benefits from this new road as such contribution to reduction in poverty and transportation cost, cutting travelling time, and easing people travel nation-wide and regional transportation from national road no. 5 where transportation from Cambodia-Thailand border concentrates. On the other hand, because Kampot is costal area, linking to Kep province, linking to Bokor that is Cambodia’s magnificent ecological tourist site, the national road 41 will facilitate tourism flow as well. Moreover, Kampot is a region potential of agriculture and industrial development, especially famous cement and salt, as well fertile land for planting pepper, rambutan and durian and other sea products that answers demand of Cambodian people, and development of these sectors will rely on this road like we asserted that having road is having everything, road will bring prosperity, like Chinese proverb puts “if you want do successful business, build road first” and Cambodian slogan says “having road is having hope”. Obviously, this national road 41 will accelerate implementation of key strategies for development of costal sea corridor area that international development partners had studied and taken as base in conformity to national development plan of the Royal Government of Cambodia, with main goals to integrate and link every domestic areas, particularly linking remote area to the populated ones, and facilitate integration with neighboring countries in the region for the cause of economies, trade and cooperation with objectives to maintain peace, security and regional and domestic development. Separately, this road reminds us of history of maintaining sovereignty, land integrity, national prestige, and fulfilling dream and hope of people living along this road namely Kampongspeu, Kandal, Takeo and Kampot. At the same time, this road revitalizes wish of Khmer King during Ang Duong era for which His Majesty have paved this way and name it Preah Ang Duong Road. Later then, this road was severely destroyed during war time. So far, journey passing this road was very difficult, particularly during rainy season, because links are under severe damage and unpassable. Having seen that people still use this road, I ordered military civil engineers to pave laterite and replace wooden bridge with metal ones. Fortunately, later we have very close development partners i.e. People Republic of China who has provided credit timely to reconstruct and improve efficiency of this national road 41 with high standard by DBST and widening width of the road for better access, to make it conducive to business and help promote trade and economic activities along costal corridor which is beneficial to our people.

In highly prideful spirit for achievements that we has been building by active efforts by the leadership and technical officials of ministries-institutions and local authorities as well as cooperation from development partners, especially great friend China, reconstruction, construction and development and maintenance of road bridges nation-wide remain constantly active to succeed in reducing hardship and poverty of the people. A line with development of all sectors and optimism about bright future of Cambodia, I would like to appeal to all leadership and technical officials of ministries-institutions, all levels of local authorities, and separately leadership and technical officials of ministry of public works and transport must continue cooperating to work further in order to promote development and maintenance of transportation network to ensure traffic continuity at everywhere, near and far nation-wide, connecting to neighboring countries and the region.

At the same time, the contribution and support from all compatriots are the neccessary factors that cannot be absent in promoting the process of constructing, improving and maintaining roads, in which you have to be tolerant with the settlement that has impact on land and accomodation and you have to respect the use of road pavement and the traffic law, which is the major challenge, aiming to reduce mortality caused by traffic accidents as planned in order to secure the safety of property and human lives.

In this spirit, I would like to remind our compatriots once again to be more careful with driving by following the speed limit, wearing helmet and seatbelt, and by not drinking alcohol if driving, and especially prevent the overweight transportation, which is the root cause of destroying bridges-roads.

At the same time, on behalf of the Royal Government and people of Cambodia, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Government and people of development partners and various international agencies, who have always provided credits for the restoration and development of Cambodia in all sectors. I would like to express appreciation and encourage the management and officials of the Ministry of Public Works and Transport, local authotity and all related institutions, who have been trying their utmost to cooperate in actively implementing the construction of bridges-roads through out the country.

In particular, I would like to congratulate and encourage the China Road and Bridge Corporation that has been successful in bidding for construction project implementation, and the Guangzhou Wanan Construction Supervision that has to be in charge of construction technicality. Please be informed that Cambodian people have put strong hope on the two companies in implemening their respective duties on the the construction of national road No.41 to be completed as planned or before the schedule with high quality standard.

At the end, together with the inauguration of the “Construction of Road No.41 from the corner of National Road No.4 at Thnorl Totoeng to Chum Kiri” now, I would like to wish the venerable monks, Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, distinguished national and international guests, civil servants, teachers and students and all compatriots the four gems of Buddhist blessing: Longevity, Nobility, Health and Strength.

On behalf of the Royal Government and the people of Cambodia, I would like to congratulate H.E.Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono on his assumption of the Chairmanship of this important ASEAN Summit and to express our deep gratitude to Your Excellency for the warm welcome and hospitality extended to me and my delegation. For the first part of the plenary session, allow me to share my own views on a number of issues on the building of the ASEAN Political and Security Community. As to the matters related to the other three items of the agenda for our plenary discussion, I will raise during the second part of the plenary session.

I am pleased with the significant progress made in the 14 prioritized areas in pursuing the building of the ASEAN Political-SecurityCommunity. We recognize that the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Free-Zone Treaty (SEANFWZ), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), and the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism are becoming more useful instruments to ensure regional security.

In this spirit, Cambodia urges the joint working group on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) to finalize a guideline for the implementation of DOC before 2012 in order to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the DOC. Cambodia welcomes Canada’s proposal to be a member of the TAC and also welcomes East Timor’s application to be a member of ASEAN as the East Timor is located in Southeast Asia. Moreover, I highly appreciate the proposal on the establishment of the ASEAN Institute for Peace and Reconciliation. I believe that the Institute will help ASEAN to create a real mechanism for dispute settlement in the region. However, Cambodia goes along with the suggestion that we should give this mandate to our Senior Officials and Ministers of Foreign Affairs to conduct a comprehensive study before taking a final decision.

Overall, I notice that all the above mechanisms were established in order to enhance mutual understanding and trust among member countries, thus contributing to the maintenance of peace and security in the region. However, I am very concerned about the unsettled bilateral disputes among ASEAN member countries such as the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. Indeed, a series of military fighting along the border between Cambodia and Thailand may not only affect peace and security in the region, but also create the foremost critical challenge for ASEAN in our pursuit towards the ASEAN Community in 2015. I believe that ASEAN should not ignore this serious issue. Moreover, ASEAN must consider this dispute as the most important issue for the life of the community, which ASEAN must establish a mediation mechanism for the effective settlement of the dispute.

As you area aware, Cambodia is a small, poor country that has just emerged from the ashes of war. We have just had the opportunity to rehabilitate, rebuild and develop our nation and peace, national reconciliation and stability have just been fully achieved more than ten years ago. Therefore the top priority on our agenda is to eradicate hunger and reduce poverty of the people in order to achieve development, progress, prosperity by living in harmonious coexistence with neighboring countries in the region. Cambodia views expanding cooperation with neighboring countries and integration into the region as our great opportunity for development. Based on this understanding, Cambodia has made tremendous efforts to overcome all kinds of obstacles in order to be able to join ASEAN and have made our utmost to contribute to the process of community building in Southeast Asia in accordance with the aspirations and visions of all our peoples. Therefore, Cambodia has neither reason nor interest to invade or create incidents with her neighbors. On the contrary, as an independent and sovereign State with territorial integrity, we reserve the rights to self-defense according to the principles of international law.

In this spirit, the Kingdom of Cambodia has exerted its efforts to seek for a peaceful settlement of this border dispute based on the principles of international law and in accordance with the spirit of the ASEAN Charter and treaties as well as other related agreements. In this context, Cambodia highly appreciates the efforts made by Indonesia to arrange to dispatch observers to the area of the Preah Vihear Temple in order to monitor the ceasefire reached at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 22 February 2011, according to the mandate given by the UN Security Council. It is worthwhile to recall that at the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on 22 February 2011, both the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand agreed to invite the Indonesian observers to the area concerned along the border of each country to monitor the ceasefire commitment made by both parties: Cambodia and Thailand. Since then until the last few days, as the ASEAN chair, Indonesia has coordinated to prepare a draft of the Terms of References for deploying the observers and submitted many times to both parties, Cambodia and Thailand, for approval. Recognizing the most urgent need caused by the fragile situation at the border and in the spirit of making the biggest concession, Cambodia immediately provided her prompt positive response to the draft TORs which was subsequently modified in order to ensure that the deployment of Indonesian observers can be undertaken immediately, and in order to stop the armed conflicts and the mutual accusation made by the both parties. I am pleased that at last on 3 May 2011, Cambodia was able to sign the Acceptance Letter to put the TORs into effect. Thus, I hope that a permanent ceasefire will be ensured along with the deployment of the Indonesian observers, which I understand that, it should be carried out as soon as possible. However, once again I deeply regret that Thailand has not yet signed the Acceptance Letter to put into effect the TORs and continue again and again to put unreasonable and unacceptable conditions and, according to the latest condition, Thailand requires Cambodia to withdraw her troops and population from her own territory, the territory that has been under the sovereignty and effective control of Cambodia since the immemorial time. This condition is irrational and unacceptable. In fact, it is Thailand that must withdraw troops from the vicinity of the areas, according to the judgment of the International Court of Justice at The Hague dated 15 June 1962.

This is the testimony that Thailand does not have the goodwill to accept the Indonesian observers and does not have the willingness to settle this border dispute in accordance with the international law and by peaceful means. Thailand, as a big country, continues to have the ambition to prolong the armed conflicts in order to violate weaker neighboring ASEAN members. Respectively, it is worthwhile to highlight the causes of continuous armed conflicts between Cambodia and Thailand during the past. This is the main reason why Cambodia has submitted this matter to the United Nations Security Council.

Cambodia has never resorted to war as the means to settle the border conflict. When Thai troops came to occupy the Preah Vihear Temple between 1954 and 1959 after the France’s withdrawal from Cambodia, Cambodia used all means to try to secure the settlement through negotiations. Only after having exhausted the possibility of a negotiated settlement, Cambodia had submitted the case to the International Court of Justice at the Hague. At present, since the Thai troops invaded Cambodia in the area of the Preah Vihear Temple on 15 July 2008 Cambodia has shown utmost restraint by seeking peaceful settlement through negotiations and exploring all kinds of mechanisms at all levels. However, until now the bilateral mechanism has not only settled the matter, but also widened this conflict further. While respecting Thailand’s legal procedure, Cambodia was patient enough to wait for the adoption of the three records of the meetings of the Cambodia-Thai Joint Border Committee. However, until now the three records of the meeting that were prepared in 2008 and 2009 have not yet been approved and nobody knows which national institution of Thailand has the authority over this matter. This is to underline that we have exhausted all means of bilateral mode of dispute settlement.

In line with the demand from the government of Thailand and the information that I have received lately, I am very concerned that the situation in the conflict area at the Cambodian-Thai border will not return to normalcy as Thailand has intention to use her military supremacy to expel the Cambodian people and the Cambodian armed forces from the territory of Cambodia, by using its own unilateral map. As far as Cambodia is concerned, we continue to steadily adhere to the approach of a peaceful settlement of the dispute based on the principles of international law and in the spirit of the ASEAN Charter. Within the framework of this approach, on 28 April 2011, the Royal Government of Cambodia has submitted a request to the International Court of Justice at the Hague to provide interpretation of the 1962 Judgment on the Preah Vihear Temple. Cambodia is of the view that the interpretation of the 1962 Judgment by the International Court of Justice at the Hauge is instrumental to resolving, peacefully and based on the principles of law, the border dispute between the two countries so as to put an end once and for all in the future, in particular, the so called “4.6 square kilometers” in the area of the Preah Vihear Temple, which the Thai side has claimed based on her unilateral map. At the same time, I expect that a permanent ceasefire, which will be guaranteed by the deployment of the Indonesian observers, will create an environment of confidence conducive to the peaceful settlement of the border dispute between the two countries based on the principles of law as I mentioned ealier.

Therefore, I urge the ASEAN leaders to provide support and put forth necessary measures in order to make all parties concerned cooperate and accept the observers from Indonesia, acting as ASEAN Chair, in order to dispatch them immediately to the border area to monitor the ceasefire agreed to at the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in February 2011, and according to the mandate of the United Nations Security Council. ASEAN’s prestige and credibility will be at high risk if the efforts to establish a permanent ceasefire will not be materialized as planned. I would like to stop my intervention at this point and, as I said earlier, I will share my views on the remaining three topics for this plenary session later on during the next session.

Taking this rare and valuable opportunity may I inform the ASEAN Leaders of the issue concerning the border dispute between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand as follows:

1- Issue related to the area of Preah Vihea Temple

The border between the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand is based on the France-Siam Treaty 1904 and 1907 and the maps prepared by the France-Siam Demarcation Commission.

Moreover, in 2000, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand singed the Memorandum of Understanding on Delineation and Demarcation based on the France-Siam Treaty 1893, 1904 and 1907, and the maps prepared by the France-Siam Demarcation Commission. I would like to underscore the fact that this MOU is legally binding as a Treaty in accordance to International Laws.

Based on this foundation, the Border Commission of the two countries have performed their tasks and achieved some positive results as they implanted temporary border poles in many places.

After the Kingdom of Cambodia registered the Preah Vihea Temple as a World Heritage and prior to the Cambodia’s preparation of the general election on 15 July 2008, the Kingdom of Thailand dispatched its forces into the areas, which is under the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Cambodia, claiming the territories using its unilateral map which is not stipulated in any treaties nor agreements.

Nevertheless, the Kingdom of Cambodia has exerted its efforts to seek for a peaceful solution to this border dispute based on the principles of international laws and in accordance with the spirit of the ASEAN Charter and treaties as well as other related agreements. In the context of this situation, we highly appreciate the effort made by Indonesia as the Chair of ASEAN in trying to mediate a reconciliation and preparing to send observers to the area of Preah Vihea Temple in order to prevent more military clashes between Cambodia and Thailand, in the spirit of the Informal Meeting of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers dated on 22 February 2011.

I would like to remind you that, during the Informal ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in February 2011, the Kingdom of Cambodia and the Kingdom of Thailand agreed to invite the Indonesian observers to the clashed area along the border of each country to monitor the ceasefire committed by both parties: Cambodia and Thailand. Since then until the past few days, as the ASEAN chair, Indonesia has coordinated to prepare a draft of the TORs for deploying the observers and submitted many times for the approval from both parties, Cambodia and Thailand. In the spirit of the recognition of the most urgency due to the fragile situation at the border and in the spirit of the most concession, Cambodia immediately provided with its positive responses to the draft TORs which subsequently modified in order to ensure that the deploying of Indonesian observers can be undertaken promptly, and in order to stop the military clashes and the mutual accusation between the two parties. I am pleased that eventually on 3rd May 2011 Cambodia signed the Acceptance Letter to put the TORs into effect. Thus, I hope that a permanent cease-fire will be ensured along with the deployment of the Indonesian observers, which I understand that, it should be carried out as soon as possible.

Moreover, on 28 April 2011, the Royal Government of Cambodia has made a request to the International Court of Justice at the Hague to urge the later for an explanation of the 1962 Court Verdict related to the Preah Vihea Temple. Cambodia has a view that obtaining the explanation of the 1962 Court Verdict of the International Court of Justice at the Hague is instrumental to resolving the border dispute between the two countries in a peaceful and legal way that will clear and close the dispute case in the future particularly the so-called “4.6 square kilometer of deputed land” in the area of the Preah Vihea Temple, which the Thai side claims it based on her unilateral map.

I expect that a permanent ceasefire, which will be guaranteed through the dispatch of the Indonesian observers, will sustain and create an environment of trust, which allows for resuming the work of the Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Commission to resolve the border demarcation between the two countries by giving an urgent attention to the border issue in the area of the Preah Vihea Temple. The Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Commission can meet either in Cambodia or in Thailand with the participation of the ASEAN Chair in accordance with the recommendation of the UN Security Council dated on 14 February 2011, and the Chairman Statement of ASEAN dated 22 February 2011.

2- Issues Related to the areas of Tamoan and Ta Krabei

Regretfully, Thai Royal Armed Forces has opened attacks on both military and civil targets at surrounding areas of Tamoan Temple, surrounded area of Ta Krabei Temple, Thmar Doan and Chubb Kiri in Oddar Meanchey Province of Cambodia, since April 22, 2011. The artillery and mortar shells landed 24 kilometers depth inside Cambodia’s territory where civil people are living. I would like to underline that Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Commission already demarcated area of Ta Maon Temple and planted a temporary border pole east of Ta Moan Temple. This is an evidence of agreement between Cambodia and Thailand that Ta Moan Temple is inside Cambodia’s territory.

After the military fighting for more than a week, a ceasefire agreement was reached from negotiation meeting between Cambodia’s Commander of Military Region 4 and Thailand’s Commander of Military Region 2 on the April 28, 2011. Both parties agreed to keep the presence status quo concerning their military positions and ceasing all troop re-deployments, encourage Commanders of both sides at the frontline to meet and to establish a communication task to exchange information in the event of incident. Both parties agreed that, border issues should be addressed through Cambodia-Thailand Joint Border Commission. The militaries are tasked with the issues related to the truce only.

Nevertheless, the agreement has not been respected. The confrontation had continued until May 3, 2011. However, with the great efforts made by the military Heads at the front line and with the support from the Governments of the two Countries, a ceasefire has been established in the night of 3rd May and entered the 4th May 2011. This has created an environment of trust for the Commanders of Military Regions of both sides to resume their negotiation in the morning of 04th May 2011 to pave the way for the situation to return to prior 22nd April. This allowed the war refugees of both sides to return their homes.

I am convinced that the ceasefire agreement on April 28, 2011 and on May 04, 2011 between the both Commanders of Military Regions is a solid foundation to avoid clash and allow both parties to peacefully resolve conflict at Ta Moan and Ta Krabei. In this regard, I would like to urge both parties to firmly honor the ceasefire agreement with highest responsibilities.

Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Government and People of Cambodia, I would like to thank once again the active role and greatest effort of Indonesia, under ASEAN Chairmanship, to mediate for resolution of Cambodia and Thailand border dispute.

At the outset, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the ASEAN Secretariat, Asian Strategy and Leadership Institute (ASLI), the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN) and especially Dato’ Dr. Michael Yeoh, ASLI Chief Executive Officer, for inviting me to address this august forum.

I am honored today to share with all distinguished participants some of my thoughts on “Strengthening ASEAN Centrality, Connectivity with the Global Community” which is the central theme of Indonesia’s Chairmanship of ASEAN in this year.

ASEAN has indeed matured in the last 44 years. ASEAN is now playing an active role, taking its rightful place on the same platform among major global players for political and economic dialogue and cooperation. Especially, over the last few years, with firm determination and efforts made by all our Governments and people in the region and with the support from the partners concerned, ASEAN has made many major achievements in all sectors including political, economic, social and cultural sector.

However, in such a dynamic and rapidly changing world, I believe that ASEAN is still faced with many internal and external challenges in the making ASEAN Community by 2015 and beyond. Indeed, ASEAN Leaders have been very active in responding to these challenges by adopting the ASEAN Charter and the ASEAN Community Blueprints and Roadmaps which comprises 3 pillars namely ASEAN Politico-Security Community, ASEAN Economic Community, and ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community including the goals of narrowing development gaps within ASEAN.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to highlight the key achievements made in the implementation of the ASEAN Charter and the Roadmap for an ASEAN Community by 2015, and main challenges that ASEAN must address in the pursuit of the building of ASEAN Community and its connectivity with the global community.

The ASEAN Charter has truly been brought to life with the smooth operation of the new organizational structure as well as the finalization of related legal documents, thus creating the legal basis and institutional framework for the ASEAN Community and deeper regional integration. Nevertheless, ASEAN should have a comprehensive legal and institutional framework in line with the ASEAN Charter, including the institutionalization of a dispute settlement mechanism, the improved operational efficiency of ASEAN bodies and modalities, strengthened coordination among executing agencies, and enhanced resources mobilization, in order to expedite the implementation of ASEAN initiatives. Thus, ASEAN will be able to transform itself by going through a new phase of community building process to become a truly rules-based organization.

There is no doubt that significant progress has been made in the building of the ASEAN Political-Security Community. Regular dialogue and cooperation at all levels on issues of mutual concern have enhanced mutual understanding and trust among Member States. In this regard, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Southeast Asian Nuclear-Free-Zone Treaty (SEANFWZ), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), the ASEAN Convention on Counter Terrorism have become crucial instruments to ensure regional security.

Moreover, the mechanisms for dialogue and cooperation in regional security have been strengthened through the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus), ASEAN Chiefs of Security Agencies (MACOSA) and ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF). The ARF has now evolved into the region's premier security forum, which plays a positive role to ensure political, economic and strategic balance between great powers in our region. Moreover, the ARF mechanism also ensures that ASEAN plays a central role in maintaining peace and security in the region, and therefore will be the cornerstone of the ASEAN Security Community. In other word, the ARF is making progress on three main fronts, namely confidence-building, preventive diplomacy and conflict resolution.

Overall, all these mechanisms were formed in order to enhance mutual understanding and trust among countries, thus contributing to the maintenance of peace and security in the region. However, we must acknowledge that bilateral disputes among a number of ASEAN member countries, such as border disputes have become the foremost critical challenge for ASEAN in their pursuit towards the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015. Therefore, there is a need for ASEAN to put in place a practical mechanism for an effective dispute settlement in theregion, thus ensuring regional peace, security and sustainability, especially among member countries.

The process of building the ASEAN Economic Community is in good shape with the establishment of the ASEAN Free Trade Area for trade in goods, services and investment as well as the implementation of the ASEAN single window and trade facilitation. ASEAN is the region marked by high growth and political stability, a growing middle-income population, endowed by enormous natural resources. These endowments result in great potential for ASEAN’s internal growth and its economic attractiveness to external partners. However, the reduction of development gaps among ASEAN member states remains our critical challenge in ensuring competitiveness and attractiveness of the region and in achieving regional integration.

Moreover, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity is the most comprehensive plan underpinning the success of building the ASEAN Economic Community. To achieve this goal, ASEAN needs to engage all ASEAN Partners, including the Plus 1, the Plus 3 and other countries concerned, to support the implementation of the Master Plan in order connect ASEAN by both soft and hard infrastructures, in particular land, rail, air, waterway and maritime connectivity. At this point, I would like to emphasize that the Royal Government of Cambodia has given high priority to the construction of transport infrastructure to link with all of our neighboring countries including the missing railway section of about 257 km from Phnom Penh (Cambodia) to Loc Ninh (Viet Nam) within the framework of Singapore-Kunming Rail Links.

Furthermore, in response to the Global Financial Crisis, the ASEAN+3 countries launched the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralization (CMIM) and increased the size of the SWAP arrangements to US$120 billion. I would like to stress that the Chiang Mai Initiative was arranged after the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and proven during the recent financial crisis to be sound regional financial safety nets. Furthermore, a new ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) has been set up in Singapore to provide the surveillance and analyze the region’s economies. It will play an important role in maintaining the macroeconomic stability in the region.

However, recent developments in the global economy have exposed some main challenges for ASEAN. Therefore, over the medium-term, ASEAN should pay attention to promoting domestic sources of growth bydiversifying growth base, expanding regional cooperation and accelerating regional integration in order to sustain high growth in a post-crisis environment. This requires us to double our efforts to fully implement as soon as possible the initiatives and action plans that we have already adopted. This requires us to prioritize, coordinate, and well sequence our work plan, especially avoid overlapping efforts and resources in implementing projects and initiatives in intra-ASEAN sub-regional cooperation, as well as in the ASEAN-wide framework and beyond ASEAN, such as cooperation in East Asia.

We have made considerable progress in building the ASEAN Social-Cultural Community. Yet, the recent developments in the world have put pressure on us to continue to exert our efforts to overcome key challenges. Some of the issues are regional, while some global in character, but having serious impact on our region, such as human resource development, disaster management and climate change. Indeed, ASEAN has realized very well these challenges, and has actively taken measures, aimed at enhancing intra-ASEAN cooperation as well as ASEAN cooperation with partners concerned in order to effectively find solutions to the above problems.

Over the past 44 years ASEAN has made tremendous strides, thus making ASEAN to become an “organization of global importance”. Certainly, this role will have a more comprehensive meaning a long with our continued efforts to achieve a cohesive and resilient community with increasingly regional and global responsibilities. In this regard, I think ASEAN community building and connectivity with the global community are closely linked together. In this connection, we should focus on the following important points:

First, the multi-polar setting becomes a dominant trend in the world, thus maintaining the ASEAN centrality is very crucial for ASEAN in shaping its future regional architecture. Moreover, within the context of post global financial crisis, East Asia is loaded with increasing importance and responsibility for leading the sustainable and balanced growth of the world economy. In this regard, the strengthening and deepening of integration in East Asia, in which ASEAN is the centrality, is indispensible.

Over the past, ASEAN has clearly showed its ability to serve as an attractive centrality of many processes, both at regional and global level in particular ASEAN+1 and ASEAN+3 with China, Japan and Republic of Korea, ASEAN-India, ASEAN-Australia, ASEAN-New Zealand, ASEAN-Russian Federation, ASEAN-US and East Asia Summits, as well as forums and mechanisms at sub-regional, regional and global levels.

Among the above mechanisms, EAS has expanded very fast as it now comprises 18 members with the recent participation of the US and Russia in the 17th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi last year. In this sense, I believe that the issue of geopolitics will play important role. Therefore, ASEAN should grasp all these existing opportunities in order to ensure that dynamic shift in power relations between great powers do not lead to strategic tensions, but rather result in a dynamic equilibrium, thus bringing about long-lasting and strong peace and security to our region. In this regard, we must uphold the driving force of ASEAN in all processes and make use ASEAN’s centrality to engage highly influential ASEAN’s dialogue partners to adhere to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and support ASEAN initiatives, as well as increase ASEAN influence in handing many other global issues.

In the longer term, ASEAN should look forward in expanding its connectivity to the East Asia Region through the establishment of Free Trade Area and Comprehensive Economic Partnership which we are arranging at present, then move toward the establishment of the East Asia Community in which ASEAN is the centrality. In the short and medium term, ASEAN will greatly benefit from the Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA), in which the least developed ASEAN members will be able to use the imported raw materials from China to process and export to more developed countries such as Japan, Korea, Australia and New Zealand.Second – As I emphasized from the beginning, in order ensure ASEAN Centrality in an evolving regional architecture, the most critical factor is to strengthen ASEAN’s competitive advantages and capacities by narrowing the development gap among ASEAN member countries and building a cohesive and strong ASEAN community based on the three pillars, as we have planned. In this regard, our top priority now is to realize the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity. As the financing still remains the major concern for newer ASEAN members, the implementation of the ASEAN Infrastructure Fund will accelerate the integration process of less developed members of ASEAN in both hard and soft components such as physical infrastructure and human resource development as the European Union has gone through.

Moreover, we should recognize that the promotion of sub-regional cooperation such as Greater Mekong Sub-region Program provides synergies for the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) and narrowing development gap in the region, especially through physical linkages among countries concerned. For example, through the GMS Transport Corridors, Lao PDR will become a country with access to the sea. This will be very beneficial to participating countries. Given the enormous benefits of such initiative, the GMS countries are poised to transform the transport corridors into Economic Corridors by taking measures aimed at promoting transport and trade facilitation, and in particular increasing investments in the soft aspect of development, such as increasing financing human resource development, strengthening institutional capacity and skill training; and cross border market management.

Third, ensuring sustainable development is crucial in the post global crisis environment. We have witnessed that the Asian economies have recovered from the crisis before the other regions. Asia’s remarkable recovery clearly shows that, to some extent, the regional economy has become less dependent on the United States and Europe. However, we also note that the global recovery remains fragile due to uncertainties in some regions of the world. Moreover, recent global developments, such as the unrest in the Middle East and North Africa have caused the hike of oil price. The second US Quantitative Easing (QE2) has created upward inflation pressure in countries around the world, including in Asia. This clearly highlights the need to promote domestic sources of growth of the countries in the region to enable Asia to play a more prominent role in ensuring balanced and sustainable growth. Therefore, stronger promotion of regional cooperation and accelerated implementation of various initiatives and action plans that we have launched will be very high in our agenda.

Fourth, ASEAN is required to increase its participation in the cooperation on solving global issues. This is reflected in ASEAN contribution to world affaires. I believe that ASEAN should increase its participation in solving these issues of paramount importance as a solid organization. Thus, ASEAN, by all means, should have a common platform, concrete strategy, a more coordinated position in order to deal with important global issues such as the global economic-financial crisis, climate change, natural disasters, pandemics, transnational crimes and terrorism so on and so forth.

Finally, I wish to conclude that ASEAN has been among the world’s most successful regional organizations. Just 4 years from now, an ASEAN Community will emerge, and it will be confronted with the daunting task to find its rightful place in a dynamic and rapidly changing world. However, key to this process is to make concerted efforts to realize the vision of transforming ASEAN into a «region of solidarity, cohesion, forward-looking, living together in harmony, peace, stability and prosperity».

May I now share with you all some of my views related to our agenda as follows:

1- East Asia Summit (EAS)

EAS has become an important component of the evolving regional architecture, which includes existing and mutually reinforcing processes such as the ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, ARF, and ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus). EAS has expanded very fast and as of now comprises 18 members with the participation of the US and Russia in the 17th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi last year. In this sense, I believe that the issue of geopolitics will play an important role, thus we must uphold the driving force of ASEAN in all these processes and make use of ASEAN centrality to engage highly influential ASEAN dialogue partners to adhere to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC) and support other ASEAN initiatives as well as increase ASEAN influence in handing many other global issues. In this sense, while the geopolitical landscape of East Asia is evolving rapidly, ASEAN should further strengthen its institutional and internal mechanisms so that ASEAN can continue to be in the driver’s seat in coordinating with dialogue partners, especially the big powers, thus ensuring long lasting stability, peace and economic development.

Nevertheless, East Asia’s economic architecture should progress gradually and in phases, starting from trade in goods, reflecting ASEAN’s centrality. The process should begin with the rules of origin, custom tariff, customs related issues and economic cooperation as the building blocks for the realization of East Asia integration. In this regard, I would like to take note of the reports made by the four working groups of the ASEAN Plus including the working group on the rules of origin, the working group on custom tariff, the working group on customs related issues and the working group on economic cooperation. At the same time, I would like to urge our experts to review at the same time the recommendations of the study on East Asia Free Trade Area (EAFTA), Comprehensive Economic Partnership in East Asia (CEPEA) and other initiatives. At the mean time, we shall continue to strengthen cooperation in the five priority areas namely, energy, finance, education, combating avian influenza, and disaster management.

Moreover, in order to ensure and enhance ASEAN’s driving force, we should task our experts to accelerate the process of ASEAN Plus One FTAs by identifying gaps which are needed to be addressed and making an assessment aimed at proposing procedures for the Plus One FTAs as the building block to establish a regional architecture, especially the establishment of EAFTA.

2- ASEAN +1 and ASEAN+3

I am pleased to note that the relations between ASEAN and its partners have strongly developed through the strengthening of regular dialogue at all levels. I notice that the important outcomes in carrying out the plans of action to implement joint statements and agreements on strategic or comprehensive economic and political partnership.

On top of the annual ASEAN+1 Summits with China, Japan, Republic of Korea and India, we have started to hold Summits with Australia, New Zealand, Russian Federation and the United States. Moreover, within the framework of the strategic partnerships with China and Japan, I am pleased that the ASEAN-Republic of Korea relationships have been elevate to a strategic partnership. With this, I think we should continue to strengthen our cooperation and coordination in order to ensure ASEAN Centrality in an evolving regional architecture, especially the EAS.

With regard to ASEAN-China, Cambodia understands that the working group on the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) has to exert effort to have a guideline for the implementation of DOC finalized before 2012 in order to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the DOC. Moreover, year 2011 is also the 20th anniversary of the ASEAN-China relations. Cambodia hosted a seminar on ASEAN-China Youth Leaders on 4-5 May 2011 in Phnom Penh.

In the framework of ASEAN-Japan, we should enhance cooperation in the area of disaster management, as both ASEAN countries and Japan are vulnerable to natural disasters.

The year 2012 is the 20th anniversary of ASEAN-India relations. As the coordinating country for ASEAN-India, Cambodia strongly proposes the meeting of the ASEAN-India Eminent Persons Group in order to prepare a vision for strengthening and expanding ASEAN-India relations and cooperation.

Moreover, ASEAN+3 will turn 15 years in 2012. Cambodia will issue a statement on the 15th anniversary in 2012 as Cambodia will be the Chair of ASEAN.

May I now share with you all some of my views related to our agenda as follows:

1- ASEAN Community in a Global Community of Nations

In order to enhance the reputation and role of ASEAN in the international arena, I believe that ASEAN should start from making every effort to achieve a strong and cohesive regional community. Based on a common platform, we should have a concrete strategy, a more coordinated position in order to deal with important global issues such as climate change, forests, global financial crisis, transnational crimes and terrorism. A strong and capable ASEAN Secretariat is another important instrument for enhancing our effectiveness, coordinating internal ASEAN positions, and representing and defending positions and common ASEAN strategy in international forums. In this sense, I would like to express Cambodia’s support for the proposal to strengthen the capacity of the ASEAN Secretariat.

We witness that ASEAN’s role and reputation are rising in the regional and international forums, due to two important factors: first, ASEAN’s centrality role in many regional processes over the past; and second, ASEAN’s important contributions to key international forums including the G20 and cooperation with the United Nations. At present, the reputation of G20 has been rising in importance and played significant role in shaping the regional architecture of global financial and economic system. Thus, all of us have to grasp the opportunity through this important forum in enhancing ASEAN’scontributions to global issues. This requires us to exert our efforts to seek support from all ASEAN Partners including the Plus 1, the Plus 3 countries and especially all members of the EAS for ASEAN Chair’s regular participation in the G20 meeting.

Moreover, ASEAN should strengthen cooperation with the UN in order to help address the current regional and global challenges. There is no doubt that without further concerted efforts and adequate resources available, we would not be able to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015 as scheduled. In this regard, I am of the view that we should organize annually the ASEAN-UN Summit in order to uplift the partnership to a higher level.

Over the medium term, overcoming protectionism and obstacles to enable developing countries to have access to markets of developed countries are the key factors to ensure sustainable development as well as to ensure MDGs attainment. In this regard, we should push for successful and immediate conclusion of the DohaRound negotiation under the WTO framework.

2- Exchange of Views on International and Regional Issues

I would like to congratulate Myanmar on the good result of the general elections and congratulate H.E. Thein Sein on taking over the presidency as the elected President of Myanmar. I believe that this success is not only for the people of Myanmar, but also for all ASEAN members.

In particular, I would like to reiterate our strong concerns about the unsettled bilateral disputes between ASEAN members, especially the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand. We have seen very clearly that a series of military fighting occurred along the border not only caused the loss of senior military commanders and soldiers, but also caused damages to the national and world heritage temples as well as killed civilians, destroyed housing, assets and displaced thousands civilians. More importantly, the armed conflicts create very serious challenges for ASEAN’s reputation and image, especially our pursuit towards the ASEAN Community by 2015.

Therefore, once again I would like to urge the ASEAN Leaders to support and encourage all parties concerned to accept together the Indonesian observers in the capacity of ASEAN Chair and post them at the Cambodia-Thai border as soon as possible in order to monitor the ceasefire in accordance with the spirit of the outcome of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in February 2011 and in accordance with the mandate entrusted by the UN Security Council.

Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government and People of Cambodia, I would like once again to express our deep gratitude to Indonesia for her active role and strong effort as the ASEAN Chair in trying to mediate and find solution to the border dispute between Cambodia and Thailand.

Other Matters

Cambodia has made a bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2013-2014 and the vote will take place in 2012. In this regard, I would like to seek all ASEAN members’ kind support for Cambodia’s candidacy. I am convinced that ASEAN should have a consecutive non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

I would like to support Myanmar to assume the Chairmanship of ASEAN in 2014 and Laos in 2016.

I would like also to express our support for the ASEAN’s Proposal on join bid for FIFA World Cup 2030 to be submitted to FIFA this year. I hope the event will definitely elevate the reputation of ASEAN and further reunite our ASEAN family.

Selected Comments at the Inauguration of the Buddhist Temple and Achievements of the Tuol Sangke Pagoda and the Birthday Anniversary of its Head Monk

04 May 2011

Two Events in a Row

It is a great pleasure for me to be able to join with all of our people and Buddhist monks to celebrate two major events here in the pagoda of Tuol Sangke or Tuol Sovannaram. The first to celebrate today of course is the inauguration of the Buddhist temple and achievements here in the pagoda. We also celebrate today the 87th birthday anniversary of Preah Muni Kaosal Hul Sovan, the head monk of the Russei Keo district and chief monk of the Tuol Sangke pagoda.

My wife and I are so happy that we have been granted permission to celebrate the birthday anniversary, which Preah Monikaosal has requested a reschedule for the celebration to be held today along with the inauguration of the Buddhist temple and achievements in the pagoda. According to the report by HE Min Khin, Minister of Religious Affairs, from 1982, this pagoda has been under 29 years of leadership of Preah Moni Kaosal Hul Sovan.

The Pagoda’s Background

In his report, HE Min Khin has said to you all that the pagoda was built after the war in 1970 by local war displaced people. Out of the very hardship and dilapidated condition, after the liberation of January 1979, since 1982, Preah Moni Kaosal Hul Sovan has purchased more land to expand the pagoda compound. I could recall that in 1999, when I ordered the construction of a school here, with the knowledge that the pagoda was underwater, I had instructed land leveling too.

Under his leadership, the pagoda has made great achievements. The Deputy Prime Minister HE Hor Namhong and Madame have initiated four religious events (Kathen) to raise 224,779 USD to build a new temple that was built on January 10, 2002 and was completed on September 9, 2007. Various donations and contributions have also been made by dignitaries and senior officials.

Buddhist and Secular Achievements

Apart from the Buddhist world, Preah Moni Kaosal Hul Sovan has also has made secular contribution for the construction of a school building of twelve classrooms from his own coffer, and overseen more schools and offices of director built with help from generous persons. I wholeheartedly thank Preah Moni Kaosal for his efforts and leadership to make all this happen. I thank also the Buddhist followers and the pagoda parishioners for placing trust and faith in Preah Moni Kaosal and making contribution, according to the report I must say it has been spent and kept record in best possible transparent way, for the constructions.

I have mentioned yesterday about what faith can do to CRC’s fund raising activities. In the same manner, it is faith that brings about marvelous achievements. It is true that if the head monk as well as concerned persons, fails to ascertain people’s faith and trust, it is highly probable that these achievements are not here in existence. It is a two way development relationship that where development exists in the secular world, similar trend will be in the Buddhist world and vice versa. Again, things could be realized only when there is faith.

Buddhist Monk Hul Sovan

We also celebrate today the 87 birthday of Preah Moni Kaosal Hul Sovan and HE Min Khin has read you Preah Moni Kaosal’s personal background. It is a respectful value that Preah Moni Kaosal, after becoming monk when he was 19 years old to repay gratitude to his grandfather, never left the monkhood except under Pol Pot’s time, still, he strictly followed Buddhist teaching. Pol Pot did indeed put a stop to Buddhist and/or religious activities, but faith prevailed with every followers. It was in this fact that after January 7, 1979, Buddhism has made great achievement along with education. The country now has some 4,000 pagodas that were built and respected by the people.

National Council for (Khmer) Language

In my discussion with HE Sok An, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister in Charge of the Council of Ministers, and I, on issue of establishing in the near future the National Council for Language, and because of Preah Moni Kaosal’s profound knowledge, in my capacity as the Honorary President of the Royal Academy of Cambodia, I would invite Preah Moni Kaosal to sit in this Council.

Cambodia is in need of resources to improve its language use and development. We have been under shortage of language expertise as for every law written, there has to have a lexicon attached to it. We need to have a unified form of language use. I am sure his profound knowledge and his French language skill will be of great use and help in this task.

Latest Developments at Border

Please allow me to share with all of you the latest information in the border conflict with Thailand. Starting from April 22 through to May 3 and into this early May 4, it was the first night within the stated period that there was no gunshot at the Ta Moan and Ta Krobei temples areas. While shootings occurred every previous night, the Thai army told us they had been haunted. They claimed to have seen Cambodian people - women and children too - went throwing hand grenades at them. That was what the Thai army head said to the Deputy Prime Minister, HE Tia Banh, Minister of National Defense.

It has been rumored too that (Cambodians) have by the magic power sent over twenty thousand poisonous snakes to Thailand. It was said so on the Thai side because my wife had in the previous years went to the temple of Preah Vihear to celebrate religious rituals and they had taken it as Cambodia is making a spell on them. Again, last night was the first night there was no gunshot.

Building Trust at the Front

In order to build up trust and to verify the possibility who initiate the shot, our commanders at the border have found out a formula with Thai commanders to place soldiers together at several points. So when the trust is being created there would not be any more fighting. Cambodia seeks no war as it will only bring destruction, on soldiers and civilians alike. Upon receiving the news that soldiers from both sides are on good term with each other, the remaining 200 displaced families have left the camp this morning already. What remains to be done is for the President of the CRC to speed up construction and repair of those destroyed or broken homes.

We may understand it to be true but also this can have its twisted fact as they claim this has happened so that they acquire chance to open fire on us. So the formula that soldiers stay together could possibly be one of the best solutions to prevent unpredictable shootings. However, I am happy that our people can now return to their villages and homes. As the rainy season has now started our people could be prepared in time for cultivation.

Addressat the Commemoration of the 148th Anniversary of the International Red Cross - Red Crescent Day, Under the Theme of “Force of Volunteers, Effectiveness of Humanity”

Phnom Penh, May 3rd, 2011

Your Royal Highnesses, Excellencies, Oknhas, ladies and gentlemen,Distinguished national and international guests, dear all the participants,

Today, it is my privilege and pleasure to be in the commemoration of the 148th Anniversary of the International Red Cross - Red Crescent Day, which celebrated annually to mobilize funds from national and foreign donors to support the humanitarian activities of the Cambodia Red Cross. This is a very important event for the Cambodia Red Cross, the Royal Government as well as the people because your participation reflects the will, determination and concerted effort in promoting socio-economic development, in particular for the cause of humanity through providing relief assistance to our people during hardship and natural catastrophes. The event also attracts interest and attention on the global challenges faced by the the International Red Cross - Red Crescent Movement so that we can jointly rescue victims and vulnerable groups timely and effectively. The task is indeed a big contribution to the Royal Government’s effort to reduce poverty incidence and relieve the hardship of the people.

During the last decade, the Cambodia Red Cross has been fulfilling its role effectively, including the response to and prevention of disasters, prevention of disease outbreak such as HIV/AIDS, dengue fever and bird flu, public health education, community sanitation work, promotion of the principles and value of humanity, provision of first aid service in the community, provision of clean water, provision of early warning alert of flood, drought and storm, and provision of education on UXOs and traffic law for reducing mortality rate and so forth. Moreover, the Cambodia Red Cross has acted as the pubic administration’s agency in providing aids to the people regardless of their races or political belief.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to sincerely praise H.E. Dr. Bun Rany and wives of other members of the Royal Government who always pay visit to our armed forces, especially remote and island-based armed units to provide relief assistance to our soldiers and their families and to ignite their patriotism to protect national sovereignty. In particular, the management, all levels of officials, and volunteers of the Cambodia Red Cross have recently paid visit to and provided aids to frontline soldiers and war refugees.

This shows the Cambodia Red Cross is playing an important role in socio-economic development, poverty reduction and promotion of dignity and value of human.

Taking this opportunity, I personally and on behalf of the Royal Government would like to praise the management, all levels of officials and volunteers of the Cambodia Red Cross, donors, national and international organizations for the mental and physical effort, material and financial assistance, technical support and close cooperation to support humanitarian activities of the Cambodia Red Cross. All of your contribution reflect the “Culture of Sharing” during hardship. These meaningful activities have further encouraged the Cambodia Red Cross to continue its duties and mission more actively and effectively to rescue those affected by disasters to promote social wellbeing and poverty reduction.

In general, we acknowledge the work coverage remain very limited which hinders the capacity to provide relief assistance to all victims. We also understand that more human, material and financial resources are needed to allow the Cambodia Red Cross fulfill its duties more comprehensively and timely. However, although there are complicated challenges, Cambodian Red Cross has overcome and tried to implement its duties without hesitation by continuing to attract the participation from national and international institutions, national association of cooperation partners, especially national and international donors inside and outside the country.

We have been aware that the world today is facing the crisis in economics, politics, armed conflict, religious war, and the growth of demand of natural resources in order to complement the socio-economic development for the countries in the region and the world, especially the challenges of climate change and global warming, which are the new topics for the whole world. In this context, I realize that huge natural calamities such as flood, drought, storms, season change resulting in irregular raining, high temperature and the spread of the epidemics may occur incidentally in the future. These issues will cause threat to security, safety, social order and livelihood of the human being in the world, and the impacts of those disasters may have effects on the people and territory of the Kingdom of Cambodia as well, which will become heavy burden for the whole society.

Through this, I strongly believe that Cambodian Red Cross, which is a strongly leading National Association Organization in humanitarian acts will continue to play role as a significant agency of the Royal Government on humanitarian sector in order to help solve those issues for the interest of the nation, people as well as upgrading the dignity, virtue, value of humankind and participate in the process of poverty reduction of our people. In this spirit, under the wise leadership, high sacrifice, management ability and transparent and efficient use of financial resources of H.E. Dr. the President of CRC, I strongly believe that Cambodian Red Cross will double its efforts in strengthening and developing its institution to be more comprehensive and gain more support from the national and international institutions, development partners, national and international donors as the people have always provided trust and confidence so far. At the same time, on behalf of the Royal Government, I am truly proud and would like to continue supporting without any conditions to the activities of the Cambodian Red Cross-Red Crescent, in which there are the inclusion of volunteer forces, Cambodian Red Cross Youths in the branches of 24 cities and provinces in order to serve the activity of humanitarian acts such as educational dissemination program, preparedness and responsiveness to the disasters, education program to promote traffic safety, health maintenance, and service provision on primary aid kits according to the topic put up for this year. In this spirit, the Royal Government will be highly capable in managing the activities timely in order to response to saving the lives of our people in order to contribute to achieving poverty reduction, development, progress, prosperity, harmonization and happiness for the whole society. In practicality, in this situation, I believe that Cambodian Red Cross will truly pursue its priorities to be firm, deep and more comprehensive in order to continue the humanitarian mission in saving human being as stated in the slogan as “The Red Cross is where there are hardships”.

In front of us now, we have clearly understood that the whole world is now worried about the adverse impact from the climate change and spread of the epidemics, which are the root causes of severe effects on the living of the people and there are universal challenges for socio-economic development. In general, we can not get away from the impact that is the result of unexpected incidents, therefore, we have to be on alert and higher attention with greater efforts are to be paid by all related institutions. In this sense, I would like to propose the National Committee for Disaster Management and the Cambodian Red Cross to jointly cooperate more actively in order to be prepared for protection and prevention of the issues that may threaten safety and security of our people and humankind as a whole. Through this, we have noted that we are one step ahead in terms of preparation for any incidents by not just focusing on emergency response, but also provide higher possibility to better understand the situation and estimation of any impacts.

Within the framework of this work, I would like to express my full support to the Cambodia Red Cross, who has selected the topic of “Volunteer Forces, Humanitarian Efficiency” this year, which is the key message for the campaign of the World Red Cross-Red Crescent Day, and this spirit has been incorporated into the 4 year development plan 2011-2014 by adapting to the Strategic Plan 2011-2020 in order to be used as a map and indicators in defining common objectives for implementation. Moreover, I would like to highly value the Red Cross volunteers, who are the driving forces that cannot be absent, meaning that “Volunteers are the Backbone of the Community”. Within these, we must continue to expand protective measures for volunteers and find weaknesses or barriers in regulations and guidance relating to responsibilities, safety insurance and health by paying special attention to voluntary emergency in order to comply with key messages of international federation of the world red cross-red crescent and other partners, who have appealed to other governments in the world. In this regard, I would like to further call for our people in all level, ministries/institutions, local authorities, related organizations/agencies to make continued efforts to actively cooperate to transform topic of “volunteer- effective humanitarian” to the practical implementation to settle daunting challenges in the future. Overall, I am still of the view that the humanitarian activities of Cambodia Red Cross have significantly contribute to the society and are the encouragement mechanism consistent to its vision and strategic action plan. I would like to reaffirm that the Royal government will continuously support all endless humanitarian activities of the Cambodia Red Cross to rescue victims and fulfill other humanitarian activities.

Once again, taking this opportunity, I would like to put up a number of more recommendations for the Cambodia Red Cross and other related ministries/institutions to effectively implement their tasks and responsibilities as the following:

First, the National Committee for Disaster Management, which is a credible and focus point for multi-disasters, must continue its close cooperation with ministries/institutions, local authorities and development partners, especially the Cambodia Red Cross to be ready to respond to the urgent need of our people when disaster is occurred.

Second, The municipal, provincial, district and communal authorities must work closely and constantly with the people at their localities in order to be well aware about vulnerability and set up reliable database system in order to make it easy to prevent and take action against impacts and destructions such as houses, properties, crops and people lives when the calamities happen. The local authorities, in case of the occurrence of natural disaster, must continue its close cooperation with Cambodian Red Cross to get the real needs of the local people done and take immediate and effective action for the vulnerable.

Third, all related ministries/institutions and local authorities in all level must pay further attention to closely working with and supporting the Cambodian Red Cross to implement its humanitarian mission such as education and dissemination of the information about traffic safety, HIV, basic primary support, community health service delivery, and danger of mine.

Fourth, the Cambodian Red Cross, the National Committee for Disaster Management and the Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorology must work closely with each other to study adverse impacts of climate change, resulting drought and serious flood, to gather in advance information about natural disasters’ possible and calculate its impacts to disseminate those information to our people, especially to those living in the rural area.

Fifth, the Cambodian Red Cross must continue to strengthen and expand its voluntary forces and youth as well as increase the provision of training to them to prepare themselves ready to be dynamic forces and are capable to contribute to humanitarian activities with the Cambodian Red Cross in consistent with the proverb of “youth and volunteer are dynamic forces ofthe red cross – Red Crescent”.

Sixth, related ministries/institutions, especially the Ministry of Interior must continue its close cooperation and deepen relation with the Cambodian Red Cross to enhance its propaganda and dissemination of land traffic law to let our citizen be well aware of the law and jointly implement it with effectiveness to reduce the rate of traffic victims and dead.

I would like to advice the conference to consider my above mentioned recommendations to realize new tasks and responsibilities of the Cambodian Red Cross in the future. My sharing Idea and sense of moral responsibility would help to contribute to the conference, the management, officials, volunteer and youth of the Cambodian Red Cross to be included in its direction, task and action plan to continue implementing its task with quality, effectiveness and higher productivity to contribute to fruitful development of our society.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the management, staff and voluntary youth of the Cambodian Red Cross and related ministries/institutions, who have made greatest efforts to in this humanitarian work for the victims in Cambodia and are suitable for receiving trust from our citizens and victims. I believe that we will continue implementing these valuable activities and are determined at the utmost to continuously fulfilling its mission with highly special attention and moral responsibility to make sure that the Cambodian Red Cross has sufficient and stable finance, to build a society, where the principle and value of human being, happiness, peace and prosperity are guaranteed.

Last but not least, I would like to take this opportunity to appeal all ministries/institutions, local authorities at all level to continue to pay serious attention to and ensure the livelihood of Cambodian refugees, who escape from armed conflicts along the Cambodia-Thai border, causing by Thai invasion and fire to Cambodia’s territory, forcing thousands of civilian, mostly poor farmers to flee from their residents and damaged property and house.

In conclusion, I would like to wish Excellencies, Lork Oukgna, ladies and gentlemen, national and international guests, charity, especially the management and officials of the Cambodia Red Cross the four gems of Buddhist blessing: Longevity, Nobility, Health and Strength.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen Distinguished National and International Guests,Dear all Participants,

Today, it is my honor and pleasure to be here once again in the extraordinary conference of the Cambodian Women Association for Peace and Development. I am convinced that the conference is a great opportunity for all of us to review all achievements and challenges during the last 12 years and build on these to set future direction.

Taking this opportunity, I personally and on behalf of the Royal Government would like to praise H.E. Mrs. Men Sam On and all levels of officials of the association for the last ten years of hard work and continued progress with high responsibility. Along with this, I also note that the association has received all kinds of support from development partners and domestic and overseas donors. The support has allowed the association to take part effectively in all social, economic and humanitarian activities, which can be translated into a contribution to the Royal Government’s socio-economic development effort to bring about better living standard, social welfare and poverty reduction.

In particular, the report provided by the association indicates its determination, willingness, solidarity among members, unity and responsibility that will make the association a key player in various women movements and in promoting women’s value, gender equity and social development. The association was indeed born under the umbrella of the Kampuchean United Front for National Salvation, and realized numerous achievements since then. Since its formation, a lot of our women have made both mental and physical sacrifices, even their lives, to rescue the country from the Pol Pot regime, which massacred millions of innocent people over its rule of 3 years 8 months and 20 days. I recall that even after the salvation, our women left their beloved husbands and children to join the army to protect the people. Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government and the people, I would like to pay tribute to the heroic bravery of our women who sacrificed their blood and flesh for the cause of national salvation and socio-economic development that results in what we witness today.

The past strategies of the association cannot be appropriate for all circumstances as we need flexibility to accommodate specific political, economic and social situations. However, the association still firmly maintains its basic vision and mission. It is essential that the association strengthens its partnership with men in all activities and under all circumstances to support the Royal Government’s effort in maintaining peace which is the prerequisite for all development fronts. Moreover, the association has gradually strengthened itself and expanded its role in human resource development, especially for women, to promote women’s role both in the society and international arena.

Along with this, I also note that the association has expanded its operation in the municipality and all the provinces. The sub-national levels of the association as well as its branches in government’s ministries - institutions have shown a concrete solidarity to take part in social and humanitarian activities by providing assistance to those affected by disasters, mobilizing resources to build physical infrastructures in health and education sectors, engaging in education, health, sanitation and disease prevention work, promoting social morality, the value of women and gender equity mainstreaming, disseminating various laws and government policies, addressing the needs of the poor especially women and children, visiting and supporting brave soldiers protecting our sovereignty and so forth.

The Royal Government always treats women as key actor and dynamic partner to the contribution of Cambodia’s socio-economic development. Within this, the Royal Government has paid particular attention and has provided highly valued women through the enhancement and encouragement of their livelihood, rights status and role in the society. It is clearly understood that the creation of favorable condition to enable women to move out of vulnerability toward happiness and good livelihood help them to achieve social harmony. We have also acknowledged that women’s hard-works have brought about the positive change in human behavior and given social benefits as a whole. This means that the concept of “women cannot move beyond her chore” becomes an obsolete view and is replaced by the recognition of women’s potential and egalitarian status in the society with the view that “women are the backbone of development” or “mother of the world and key partner of men” in the process of personal, family and social development. Therefore, women have been paid particular attention to with high value and respect in the modern Cambodia. Along with this, we all acknowledge that Khmer women are dignified and gentle, being good wives, mothers and good elder sisters. They can play good leadership role in family, community and society through their practical role in political and socio-economic development, as well as being able to work as employer in private sector and society in Cambodia.

Moreover, the Royal Government is determined at the utmost to continuously creating more favorable condition, especially for helpless women living in the rural area to enable them to create business, receive health care, send their children to schools and to have proper living condition and fair legal protection for women, and avoid from violence, trafficking, rape and all other forms of violence. Another important part is that the Royal Government always pays attention to increase women participation ratio, at the maximum level, in all levels of national organizations. Within these, Cambodia has made many achievements in enhancing valuation and role of women, prevention and elimination of discrimination and violence against women. However, more efforts remained to be done in order to continue improving and successfully and effectively solving the above said problems. I am of the view that we have to continue making relevant laws and regulations in order to develop policy and to promote law and regulation enforcements, aiming to help women serve themselves, families, and nation, which is necessary for all agencies, especially Cambodian Women Association for Peace and Development to continue cooperating with each other to effectively implement the policies and regulations.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to suggest the Cambodian Women Association for Peace and Development to put further efforts to work closely with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and relevant ministries/ institutions to implement its missions in order to enhance women’s value and role, prevent and eliminate all forms of violence and discrimination against women. In this regard, the association has to continuously find a source of fund from development partners and other charity to support its activities in the enhancement of women’s welfare and the solution of women difficulties. At the same time, the association has to closely work with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and related ministries - institutions to promote education and disseminate information on the consequence of domestic violence and discrimination against women, especially street children, homeless men and gang ring, who always stir up fear and insecurity in the society. These negative social phenomena have to be continuously cracked down and simultaneously implemented to prevent them from seriously taking place; and the solution could be made later.

Since Cambodia had made remarkable achievements with high economic growth over the last decade and noticeable poverty reduction, its economy suffered the adverse effect from the global financial crisis and economic meltdown in late 2008, especially on physical economic sector while we have bravely fought back with the Thai invasion to protect our own territory and sovereignty.

However, Cambodia is now standing in equal face and rights with other countries in the region and the globe as a gloriously cultural nation and civilization in Southeast Asia. In addition, Cambodia experienced economic growth of more than 5% in 2010 after sharp drop due to financial and economic crisis in 2008-09 and is projected to grow more than 6% in 2011. Total paddy rice production increased to 7.9 million tons, with paddy rice surplus of 3.8 million tons or equivalent to 2.4 million tons of milled rice for export. Within this economic growth, we are able to reduce poverty from 35% in 2004 to 27.4% in 2009 and will further decline in 2011.

I realize that the missions and achievements we have accomplished are the contribution that cannot be separated from our women. In this connection, the solid solidarity of all women members in the Cambodian Women Association for Peace and Development from the national level to the sub-national level have formed the network of strong driving force, which is the effective supporting foundation to back up the implementation of missions, which is a national requirement. The significant role of women in all levels has formed as core forces of comprehensive people’s movement to promote and advocate the policy implementation and strategic plan of the Royal Government.

I strongly believe that our meeting today is to monitor, discuss, open dialogue more comprehensively in order to collect excellent comments to be used as inputs to prepare the strategic plan for implementation in 2011-2012. The direction setting of “building families and communities with true happiness” of the Cambodian Women Association for Peace and Development will truly contribute to achieving strategic policies of the Royal Government and bringing about harmony and happiness to our people. Taking this opportunity, I would like to join you all in setting out a number of recommendations in order to ensure the success of 2011-2012 direction setting as follows:

First: the Association of Cambodian Women has to further promote the dissemination of women and youth education to be more comprehensively educated, life skills and consideration in order to avoid vulnerabilities that may result from being cheated by the gangs and try to expand opportunity for small and medium enterprise, especially the skills in plantation, animal rearing, agricultural production and processing, handicraft in order to meet the domestic demand and export to the foreign countries.

Second: Cambodian Women Association has to continue strengthening and expanding its existing mechanism in order to ensure working efficiency and attract women’s participation from all corners. All levels of women members have to actively participate in promoting women’s value and social morality, reducing domestic violence, enhancing the health of mother and children, especially our people in the community.

Third: Cambodian Women Association has to be in cooperation with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs and related ministries - institutions in order to promote the dissemination of policy on gender integration and the enhancement of women capacity to the women living in the localities to be prepared for effective leadership in the socio-economic activities.

Fourth: Since Cambodian Women Association for Peace and Development is the concentration center of women resources, full of mixed abilities, it has to put further efforts in strengthening the leadership capability, skills in various sectors of women to make them become valuable resources and partners who cannot be absent in our nation.

Taking this opportunity, on behalf of the Royal Government, I would like to recommend all skilled authorities of the ministries-institutions either at the national or sub-national levels to further pay attention to providing public services to the people, especially poor women by providing them opportunities in building professional and vocational capacity as well as paving the way for them to set up more small and medium enterprises. At the same time, we have to further promote the health of mothers and children in order to reduce the mortality rate of mothers and children and spreading rates of other epidemics. We have to pay attention to the effective implementation of “Safe Village - Commune Policy” in order to ensure that the people, especially women and children are feeling warm. I would also like to appeal to Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen and all participants to participate more actively in all raised projects as well as sharing information, knowledge and experiences gained from this meeting for the improvement of implementation to achieve new achievements for the nation.

Finally, I would like to wish Excellencies, ladies and gentlemen, and all distinguished participants the four gems of Buddhist blessing: Longevity, Nobility, Health and Strength.

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Samdech Hun Sen Speeches

About Me

Cambodian People's Party.
The strongest Cambodian political party in Cambodia. CPP is the only party that liberated Cambodia from the Khmer Rouge Genocide in January 7, 1979. CPP is working with local partners and international community to ensure stability, peace, human rights, democracy and the rule of law to the country and its people. Thanks for you support! Please write to us at: cppparty@gmail.com.